NFL Playoff Predictions: 15 Surprises You Can Bet the House On
NFL playoff predictions are out and we're looking at the things that will make our jaws drop and force us to shake our heads.
We've had a wild season with plenty of surprises that we never saw coming. With that theme in mind, we have 15 surprises for the playoffs that you can look forward to. It's going to be a wild ride to the Super Bowl and I can't wait for the games to get underway.
What surprises do you see happening? Make sure to leave it in the comments.
No. 15: The Chiefs Running Game Will Get Shut Down
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Jamaal Charles has been a beast this year and Thomas Jones hasn't been bad as his backup either.
They've torn up the league as part of a Kansas City offense that has been a pleasant surprise. However, against the Baltimore Ravens, I expect the duo to get shut down and that's going to put the Chiefs in a big hole.
Matt Cassel can't throw them into victories. That simply won't happen.
No. 14: Seattle Will Keep It Close
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The Seattle Seahawks are in the playoffs at 7-9 and no one expects much from them.
However, I think the Seahawks are going to be competitive and that Seattle is going to give New Orleans a run for its money. That crowd will be electric in Seattle and that will fire the team up and have them ready to go on Saturday.
That won't help them win, but it's going to be a much better game than expected.
No. 13: Fans Will Question Mark Sanchez
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Mark Sanchez has been up and down during his time in the NFL and after a strong playoff run last year, people had high hopes for him.
Sanchez delivered at times and at others he looked like a rookie all over again. After this year, the Jets fans are going to wonder if Sanchez will ever get it together and be the franchise quarterback they want him to be.
Only time will tell, but it won't be this playoff run.
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No. 12: New England's Defense Will Take A Step Back
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New England has a young defense that has been growing all year long.
The Patriots and their young players have been playing better each-and-every week and they're on fire coming into the playoffs. However, they are still a vulnerable unit and I think New England's defense will struggle when the lights come on and it's time to play football.
Look for there to be mistakes and for the Patriots look to the offense to bail them out.
No. 11: Drew Brees Will Throw A Costly Pick
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All year long, Drew Brees hasn't exactly played like Drew Brees.
The Super Bowl MVP has struggled after having his running backs out for a good part of the season. He's thrown more interceptions than we're used to seeing and on Sunday he just did not look like the same guy.
I think those picks will haunt him and bounce the Saints from the playoffs.
No. 10: Ray Rice Will Go Off
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Ray Rice had a bit of a disappointing season, but I think he'll make up for it in the playoffs.
Rice is a threat out of the backfield in the passing game and that will help Joe Flacco and company make plays as defenses account for him. He's also a tough back to stop in the open field, and he's going to be a big part of what the Ravens do on offense.
Look for him to open things up for guys like Anquan Boldin in the passing game.
No. 9: Rex Ryan's Hubris Will Haunt The Jets
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Rex Ryan has never lacked for words when it comes to football and he has already said he expects to win a Super Bowl.
He's a confident guy. While there's nothing wrong with that, sometimes it gets in the way of what is best for the Jets during the course of a game, as he's made some questionable in-game decisions during the year.
I think he'll make a few head-scratching decisions and that's going to have fans wondering what he was thinking after the Jets get bounced.
No. 8: The Patriots Will Not Make The Super Bowl
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While New England is the favorite to win the Super Bowl, I don't see the Patriots making it that far.
That defense is young and talented, but it still makes plenty of mistakes. I think that's going to put New England in a hole that its offense can't dig out of. The Patriots are a great team, but they're not invincible and we'll see that in the playoffs.
There's a bright future in New England, though.
No. 7: Peyton Manning Will Carry The Colts Past The Patriots
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The last time Peyton Manning went to New England, it ended in defeat.
The second time around, I see Manning leaving with a win. He's had a great year and even though he struggled against the Patriots and at times this season, I think he's going to get things done. There are plays to be had out there against New England and I think he'll make them.
It's just a matter of the defense stepping up and I think that can happen.
No. 6: Atlanta Will Lose At Home
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Matt Ryan and company rarely lose at home, but I think it happens in this postseason.
The Falcons are a good team, but they have flaws and that defense is one that can be exploited by the right offense. A team like Green Bay, that gave Atlanta a lot of trouble in their first meeting, can knock the Falcons off.
Look for something like that to happen in the postseason.
No. 5: The Bears Will Make The NFC Championship Game
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A lot of people had written the Chicago Bears off all season long.
People said they were a fluke, people said they weren't going to make it to the playoffs and now the Bears have a first-round bye and will host a home playoff game. I think the Bears are going to win that divisional round game and make it to the NFC championship game.
It will be a magical run and one that is well-deserved.
No. 4: Andy Reid Will Cost His Team
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Andy Reid is one of the more successful coaches in the league, but he's also one of the most frustrating.
Reid uses challenges and timeouts like they're water and he's not exactly the best coach when it comes to making adjustments during the course of a game. He's had some pretty rough moments this year and I think he'll have another that helps knock the Eagles from the playoffs.
I don't see the Eagles making the Super Bowl.
No. 3: Injuries Won't Slow The Packers
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The Green Bay Packers have been decimated by injuries this season and that has had them scrapping to get into the playoffs.
However, the Packers have had two impressive wins to get to the playoffs in must-win games. Green Bay and its fans should be confident as the Packers head to the playoffs. The Packers beat the Eagles before and they get a chance to game-plan for Michael Vick this time around.
Look for Green Bay to make a run this postseason.
No. 2: Baltimore's Defense Will Lock Down
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The cornerstone of the Baltimore Ravens has always been the defense, but this year that looked shaky at times.
In some games the Ravens would just have defensive collapses and for a tough, proud, veteran unit, that's a slap in the face. Baltimore looked like you could drive on them. The Ravens have had issues, but we'll see this group rise to the occasion and play tough defense.
Look for that defense to help pump up the offense and play some of its best football.
No. 1: A Wild Card Will Make The Super Bowl
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Every year a team surprises us and makes a run to the Super Bowl. I think we'll see at least one, if not two, make the big game.
I took Baltimore and Green Bay before the season and I'm sticking with that pick. I like how Green Bay finished the season and I think the Ravens have all of the tools to beat any team on any given day. Baltimore has a tough road but I think it could go into New England and win.
It's been a wild regular season, so why not a wild postseason as well?
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